I’ve seen more off ball movement in particular off the ball screens to get guys open. I was always jealous of GS getting open looks or guys cutting to the rim for quick baskets because someone screened their defender. Rarely happened in the Harden era that I recall.
Because the way to get guys open was simply give James Harden the ball. Like why run a bunch of back screens to create an open shooter when you merely have to inbounds the ball to an instant double team guy? The latter is a lot easier to pull off than the former; and it's really hard to be jealous of the Warriors 30th out of 30 offense last year, so it seems like the off-ball movement matters a lot less than who actually has the ball.
Our offense isn't better. The system we are running is not objectively better.... indeed it is very similar to what we already have done.... except without the areas we excelled in. We have stopped doing what we did well and haven't really increased our efficiency/production anywhere outside of Wood inside. The turnovers are up. It is funny, who knew that passing and moving the ball more caused more turnovers (something that haunted the Warriors in the past). The reality is outside of satisfying a few "no sticky ball" fan boys, things are not objectively better nor really THAT different. Teams win games by maximizing their number of field goal attempts........ win the turnover battle, win on the boards, win at the line and win at the 3 point shot. So "no sticky" ball (allegedly), but overall a mediocre offense....... and these were what the coaching staff wanted and preached before any trades.
I am confused. We lost a great offensive player. So even if there is a systemic improvement, the net result would likely be worse simply because of the loss of an immense talent.
Speaking of the Dallas game, the results of my "eye test" amounted to where did this team come from? The eleven minutes of highlights below are primarily offensive plays, which is the topic of the thread, but have a few defensive ones, including the incredible block by Martin, Jr. on Dallas center Boban Marjanović in the 1st half. I thought the ball movement, the passing during this game was simply outstanding and had a heck of a lot to do with scoring 133 on a Dallas team that was very likely expecting the win. There are several examples here:
The offense is still clearly in the infancy stages. Injuries, roster turnover, new systems, player familiarization, etc. This would be better addressed later in the season. We are comparing a rough draft to a final revision. We'll see though!
Yet going back to our base defense from last season has catapulted the Rockets back into an elite defense like they were in the playoffs. It should not have taken a dozen games to realize switch everything and not drop coverage should be our base defense. As for our offense, it is way below average. Only 7 teams in entire NBA that is WORSE offensively than the Rockets. Yet CF still loves how it "looks". Some stans even lying (to themselves?) that it is beautiful team ball when it is mostly ugly inefficient iso ball.
The biggest change is that we are using the same philosophy But stressing the layup more than the 3 When when launch 3s.......this team sucks When they drive and drive for twos The offense is much better Rocket River We still not knocking down threes That is out Achilles heel
Yesterday we had our first game of the season with the theoretical starting 5 for the remainder of the season. Silas will have to work from there, and we will have to wait, obvious. So far is impossible (or unfair) to judge what we've seen considering all the issues we've had, including having a James Harden who didnt want to be here. But if somebody want to judge the offense based on number comparisons with last season (even though our last season offense was far from being elite), yeah, expect the numbers to be worse without a player like James Harden. The eye test says that currently there is ton to be improved and to work on, just based on what Silas says he expects about his own offense. Since there are no practices, it will have to be over games and film. So I'll wait and see 10 more games with the current starting 5 before commenting more.
1st quarter offense ducked because we were launching 3s (16 i believe) Silas said cut that **** out. Everything fell into place. Rocket River
lol, and then the Rockets hit 7-14 3's in the third period. Then they hit 2-12 in the 4th period. Make or miss league.
The Rockets had a 105 Offensive rating last night (107 on the season) The last Rockets team to have a Offensive rating lower than 105 that was the 2010 42-40 Adelman squad with Aaron Brooks (lol) as the primary scorer.
I think it's more defensive stops that the team is winning more and more 'close games'. 101-105 ppg is average, yes.
It’s hard to judge this team with the instability in the lineups — not just for us but also opponents. This is a really weird season. Just trying to enjoy something different with these new guys.
I think the confusion of this discussion is that there are TWO interrelated factors that determine the effectiveness of an offense: talents and system The offense of this season is expected to be worse than last season because of the lower talent level. Does that mean that the system we had in the past years was better than this year? Not necessary. Does that mean that the system we had in the past years was the optimal system given the talents we had? Not necessary. Does that mean that the current system is the best for the talents we have now? We don't really know for sure, with the small sample size and the instability of personnel so far. This thread is about system. But without digging deeper and having more consistent lineups for this season, it is hard to really evaluate the system we are using. Simply comparing this season's result and last season's result does not prove that this season's system is inferior or superior.
That happens when the players who are the least efficient from 3 are allowed to take the most 3's. Not taking advantage of our elite corner 3 shooters is on the coaches.
looks the same with worse players, and more inconsistent shooting. a lot of standing around, wall iso's, and chucking 3's while shooting a mediocre percentage. ball handlers can't pass to a big rolling to the basket, and struggles to find the corners.
